Content Area(s): Physical Science, Technology Topic: Graphene may soon replace silicon in electronics Short description: A new material called graphene conducts electricity better than any other known substance. Scientists hope that graphene may soon be used to make smaller and faster electronic devices.
Claim: Graphene likely will replace silicon in electronic devices.
Keywords: graphene, electrical conductor Difficulty of Concept: Easy
MS-PS2 Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions
MS-PS2-3. Ask questions about data to determine the factors that affect the strength of electric and magnetic forces.
MS-ETS1 Engineering Design
MS-ETS1-1. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
Common Core State Standards Connections:
ELA/Literacy
RST.6-8.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts, attending to the precise details of explanations descriptions.
RST.6-8.8 Distinguish among facts and reasoned judgment based on research findings, and speculation in a text.
WHST.6-8.1 Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
WHST.6-8.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational text to support analysis, reflection and research.
SL.8.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions(one-on-one, in groups, teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Topic of Game Introduction Video: Theory vs Logic Description/Application of Game Introduction Video:
This brief movie is used to introduce the concept of two types of reasoning - theory and logic - before playing the scenario about graphene becoming the new go to material for electronic devices in the Reason Racer game. A theory is generally thought to be a scientifically accepted explanation of how or why something happens based on observable data, experiments, and ideas. Logic is thought to be the type of reasoning that connects evidence to a claim. Logic may be in the form of an analogy, a cause and effect, a correlation or a generalization. Both theory and logic are components of scientific argumentation and usually used as part of the warrant or reasoning used to support a claim. Reasoning requires students to tie the evidence given to the claim made when making a decision about a claim. Students could discuss the types of logic in greater detail before playing the game based on the following information:
analogy – an assumption (inference) that what is true for one situation or event is also true for another situation or event.
correlation - the relationship in which the change in two variables is interrelated, but may not be cause-and-effect
cause-and-effect - a relationship in which one event is responsible for another happening
generalization –an assumption (inference) that if something is true for a well-chosen sample, it is likely to hold for a similar larger group or population.
Silicon was the material that revolutionized the electronics industry but because it is approaching its limits to improved performance and speed, it may soon be replaced by graphene. This is because at the very small sizes needed to create ever smaller devices, silicon generates too much resistance for electron flow. Graphene has no such limits. Graphene is considered by many to be the new “miracle material” in electronics and could spell the end for silicon. Many hope that graphene will lead to credit card sized electronic gadgets that are much faster than today’s devices. Graphene is made of a single layer of carbon atoms that are arranged in a hexagonal lattice and that makes it the thinnest material ever made. Graphene is super strong (a layer as thin as plastic wrap is strong enough to hold an elephant) and the most conductive material known to man. It is tougher than diamond but stretches like rubber.
The benefits of graphene to consumers will likely be faster and cheaper, transparent devices which are thinner and flexible. According to James Tour of Rice University, "You could theoretically roll up your iPhone and stick it behind your ear like a pencil." Some scientists think the applications for graphene are virtually limitless. "Graphene does not just have one application," says Professor Andre Geim, the current co-holder of the Nobel Prize in physics for his work with the material at Manchester University. "It is not even one material. It is a huge range of materials. A good comparison would be to how plastics are used." Graphene has potential that silicon just can’t match. For example, making electronic devices as small as a molecule can’t be done with silicon but in principle could be done with graphene.
One problem with graphene is that it is hard to control. It is difficult to turn it off or get it to stop conducting. But a recent discovery may have solved this problem by introducing oxygen atoms into the lattice. So far there are just a few working examples of graphene replacing other materials. But, South Korean researchers have already created a 25 inch, flexible flat touch-screen using graphene and other advances are sure to follow. According to Walt de Heer, a professor in Georgia Tech's School of Physics who pioneered the development of graphene for high-performance electronics, “in the next ten years we are probably going to see real commercial devices that involve graphene." Move over silicon.
Title: Graphene Valley
Content Area(s): Physical Science, TechnologyTopic: Graphene may soon replace silicon in electronics
Short description: A new material called graphene conducts electricity better than any other known substance. Scientists hope that graphene may soon be used to make smaller and faster electronic devices.
Claim: Graphene likely will replace silicon in electronic devices.
Keywords: graphene, electrical conductor
Difficulty of Concept: Easy
Reading Level (Pit Stop 8 Article):
Flesch Reading Ease: 51.4Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level: 10.3
Lexile: 1180
Next Generation Science Standards:
MS-PS2 Motion and Stability: Forces and InteractionsMS-PS2-3. Ask questions about data to determine the factors that affect the strength of electric and magnetic forces.
MS-ETS1 Engineering Design
MS-ETS1-1. Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
Common Core State Standards Connections:
ELA/LiteracyRST.6-8.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts, attending to the precise details of explanations descriptions.
RST.6-8.8 Distinguish among facts and reasoned judgment based on research findings, and speculation in a text.
WHST.6-8.1 Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
WHST.6-8.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational text to support analysis, reflection and research.
SL.8.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions(one-on-one, in groups, teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Vocabulary Words: atom, honeycomb structure, computer chips, silicon, resistance, electron flow, hexagonal lattice, integrated circuits
Topic of Game Introduction Video: Theory vs Logic
Description/Application of Game Introduction Video:
This brief movie is used to introduce the concept of two types of reasoning - theory and logic - before playing the scenario about graphene becoming the new go to material for electronic devices in the Reason Racer game. A theory is generally thought to be a scientifically accepted explanation of how or why something happens based on observable data, experiments, and ideas. Logic is thought to be the type of reasoning that connects evidence to a claim. Logic may be in the form of an analogy, a cause and effect, a correlation or a generalization. Both theory and logic are components of scientific argumentation and usually used as part of the warrant or reasoning used to support a claim. Reasoning requires students to tie the evidence given to the claim made when making a decision about a claim. Students could discuss the types of logic in greater detail before playing the game based on the following information:
- analogy – an assumption (inference) that what is true for one situation or event is also true for another situation or event.
- correlation - the relationship in which the change in two variables is interrelated, but may not be cause-and-effect
- cause-and-effect - a relationship in which one event is responsible for another happening
- generalization –an assumption (inference) that if something is true for a well-chosen sample, it is likely to hold for a similar larger group or population.
Link to Game Introduction Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFDRuJvxwRwFull Text of Article:
Silicon was the material that revolutionized the electronics industry but because it is approaching its limits to improved performance and speed, it may soon be replaced by graphene. This is because at the very small sizes needed to create ever smaller devices, silicon generates too much resistance for electron flow. Graphene has no such limits. Graphene is considered by many to be the new “miracle material” in electronics and could spell the end for silicon. Many hope that graphene will lead to credit card sized electronic gadgets that are much faster than today’s devices. Graphene is made of a single layer of carbon atoms that are arranged in a hexagonal lattice and that makes it the thinnest material ever made. Graphene is super strong (a layer as thin as plastic wrap is strong enough to hold an elephant) and the most conductive material known to man. It is tougher than diamond but stretches like rubber.The benefits of graphene to consumers will likely be faster and cheaper, transparent devices which are thinner and flexible. According to James Tour of Rice University, "You could theoretically roll up your iPhone and stick it behind your ear like a pencil." Some scientists think the applications for graphene are virtually limitless. "Graphene does not just have one application," says Professor Andre Geim, the current co-holder of the Nobel Prize in physics for his work with the material at Manchester University. "It is not even one material. It is a huge range of materials. A good comparison would be to how plastics are used." Graphene has potential that silicon just can’t match. For example, making electronic devices as small as a molecule can’t be done with silicon but in principle could be done with graphene.
One problem with graphene is that it is hard to control. It is difficult to turn it off or get it to stop conducting. But a recent discovery may have solved this problem by introducing oxygen atoms into the lattice. So far there are just a few working examples of graphene replacing other materials. But, South Korean researchers have already created a 25 inch, flexible flat touch-screen using graphene and other advances are sure to follow. According to Walt de Heer, a professor in Georgia Tech's School of Physics who pioneered the development of graphene for high-performance electronics, “in the next ten years we are probably going to see real commercial devices that involve graphene." Move over silicon.
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Additional Content:
Author: Cindy Wilbur